Always Learning: Should Christians Dance?

Monday, November 28, 2011

Should Christians Dance?

YES!!! Dancing is wonderful! Just as sex is good and a gift from God within the bounds of marriage, but can be used in sinful ways, dancing modestly and appropriately is also good and can be enjoyed as a gift from God, but can be done in sinful ways.

My daughter, Alyssa, was a professional dancer with Ballet Magnificat for nine years. They went around the world dancing for Jesus. The picture above is Alyssa from one of their performances. They share the love of Christ through their dancing. Little Ricky from I Love Lucy is the owner. His wife is an incredible dancer and she is in her 50s! God has blessed her amazingly with the gift of dance, just as He gifted Alyssa with that talent.

Both of my children had dancing at their weddings. My neighbor went to Alyssa's wedding. She watched all the people dancing. She was impressed! She wants her daughter to go to a Christian college. She said that if Christians can dance and have fun without getting drunk and dancing inappropriately, that is where she wants her daughter to go.

Alyssa taught Jon a dance for their wedding. I posted it here awhile ago, but I will post it again for all those who haven't seen it. Go and watch it. Go to Ballet Magnificat's website and see how God-honoring and beautiful dancing can be when it is unpolluted by the world.

Let's not let Satan take everything beautiful and allow him to make it ugly. Let's show the world how beautiful God created things and how we can do everything for His glory...even dancing!

You have turned my mourning into dancing.
Psalm 30:11

Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13

Comments (23)

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Stephen · 695 weeks ago

I don't think all Christians should dance. Take me for example. Someone might get hurt if I started dancing. I even worry about raising my hands, not because I'm opposed to such things, just that I've smacked the person beside more than once when I lifted my hands to the Lord. There are some Christians who were just built to be conservative in their worship. :)

Good article though, thanks for sharing.

Manifest Blog

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missionarymomma · 695 weeks ago

I love your blog but I disagree with this post. I used to "dance for Jesus" too. I too traveled both in the United States and overseas. I too had "worship dance" in our wedding. I have different convictions now. I watched your dear au. and son-in-laws dance an I do not believe anyone would call it "modest". Perhaps, it is not as risque as some seen in the world but it's not modest. I would not put my 15 year old son in front of a screen and have him watch your daughter rub against your son-in-law and flip backwards in his arms. As sex can be good and fine in private I could see dancing in private.There is no honest man that will tell you that a woman strecthing her body, leaning backwards, opening her legs in the splits causes him to think of Heaven, of Jesus. I have watched Godly men and most of the time when the dance begins moral men will sheild their eyes and look down.

1 reply · active 695 weeks ago

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Kelley · 695 weeks ago

All I see is a blissful newly married couple, a young man enjoying the wife of his youth. I think their dance is joyful and tasteful. Does it hint at sex? It's their wedding night! Everyone knows they'll be having sex! I don't know about you, but when I'm at a wedding I silently renew my own vows as the couple say theirs for the first time. My husband always squeezes my hand and looks at me tenderly with moist eyes. And if there's dancing, we dance. And as we dance, we laugh and smile and feel like newlyweds all over again. He'd probably dip me if he could, but he has a bad back! When I see this young woman lean back into the arms of her new husband, I don't just see the promise of sex later that night. Leaning back in his arms is not merely sexual. It requires strength on the man's part and complete trust on the woman's. That's a beautiful image of the marriage relationship and our relationship with our Savior. Sister in Christ, I admire your commitment to modesty, but too much emphasis on modesty seems to have the opposite of its intended result--an emphasis on sex, rather than a de-emphasis on sex. I don't expect you to agree, but I hope you will consider.

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missionarymomma · 695 weeks ago

Also, you hinted that since some so called Bible schools allow dancing your neighbor wants to go there since Chrsitians can have a good time and not get drunk. Have you told your friend that being a Chrsitian means willingly be ready to lay down our very ives for our Master, to serve, wash feet and die for him because he is worthy. I like your blog, am challenged by some of what I read but very much disagree with this post. From, a former dancer.

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Ken · 695 weeks ago

Interesting thoughts MissionionaryMomma,
I have watched ballerina's dance with Ballet Mag for years and can never recall thinking anything sexual with their dancing. For me it often brought tears to my eyes because of the beautiful worship that was offered to the Lord. Your idea that a woman doing splits turns a guy on is so far from any truth I know as a man. It would be fun to do a survey, but I think that if anything is turning the guy on it is the face and smile of the dancer doing ballet, far more than her moves...

If "moral" guys are looking down when dancing begins it seems to this missionary kid and pk who was taught all dancing is wrong, that it may be far more out of learned behavior having been taught the idea that dancing is inherently wrong, than that the ballet or non-sexual dance itself is truly immoral. Dancing can easily turn sexual ... but I would like to think that we could still do the dancing that was done before the Lord in worship, modern worship dance and a nice slow dance with my doll without overstepping our freedom in Christ and His grace. With all the do's and don'ts in the scripture I am sure that God would have mentioned it at least once if dancing was intended to be a forbidden act... and actually would have made this clear.

3 replies · active 394 weeks ago

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A Science Teacher · 695 weeks ago

Ken,

I truly hope that all men are as pure in thought as you seem to be. However, my main reason for commenting is to support the idea that dancing is allowed.

I'm no biblical scholar, but some things stick in my head, and this verse from Ecclesiastes has always been one of my favorites. Incidentally, this verse also seems to support dancing (modestly and in context I am sure).
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" and 3:4 " a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to DANCE"

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Danielle · 695 weeks ago

And let's not forget King David! He danced. I think there are people who find perversion in ANYTHING because they are LOOKING for it. Next people will say don't lift your hands in worship because it will accentuate your bust!

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michaelanthonymcgrath 0p · 394 weeks ago

Amen to that! Doesn't the Psslmist command us to "praise the Lord in the dance"? And "You have turned my mourning into dancing"? (Psalm 30:11). And "Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." (Jeremiah 31:13).

I find it interesting that Christians understand NOTHING about the original design of the human body. It was the first idol God allowed in creation. The Hebrew word in Genesis 1, where the Lord God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." literally means idol. And, the Hebrew word for likeness means replica. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. That doesn't automatically remove our sexuality from us, for THAT is part of His image in each of us.

IF dancing is a sin, why did David dance before the Lord with all of his might?!?! And, GUESS WHAT!!! ALL HE WAS WEARING WAS A VEST (CALLED AN EPHOD), WHICH HAD THE 12 STONES REPRESENTING THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL SEWN ONTO IT!!! THAT WAS ALL HE WAS WEARING!! If this wasn't the case, WHY would Michal have said this?: "How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!"

Seriously, folks, even Jesus Christ, who is called the Last Adam in 1 Corinthians 15:45, is NOT ashamed of HIS resurrected Body!!! Do you think that He came out of the grave covered in the garments of men? He would NEVER do what the first Adam did, who covered his genitals with a giant fig leaf because of shame. Jesus despised the shamed of the cross, hung there naked for our redemption, and, when He rose from the dead, He left His grave clothes behind and came out of the tomb in His resurrected Body, completely naked and unashamed, as our ancestor, Adam, was designed to remain.

Have ANY of you EVER danced before the Lord with all of YOUR might? As the ONLY MALE DANCER IN MY CHURCH, I have and do. I dance before the Lord with all of my might during worship at church. And it has NEVER offended ANYONE. On the contrary, it has led to MANY men rededicating their lives to the Lord, has awakened worship in the church I attend, and the Holy Spirit has baptized people in His anointing, while I was dancing before the Lord. The FRUIT of recognizing MY body as an instrument of worship has given others the freedom to do likewise.

The sister above, who seemed to think that her son would do nothing except ogle a sister in the Lord who would be dancing before Him in worship, is speaking a CURSE over her son's sexuality. She needs to repent. Period. Her son's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and NO PART of his body is excluded from being a part of the temple of the Holy Spirit, even his sexual parts. This sister may have issues with her own body and sexuality that she needs to relent of. I hope and pray she gets to the bottom of her issues with sexuality and the body.

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Ken · 695 weeks ago

Hey Science Teacher,
Lori and I are all about modesty and totally against dancing in any sexual way, but the scriptures speak of dance when one is happy, and to be used in worship, and it can indeed be very worshipful.

Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! Ps. 149:3.

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Enjoy dancing · 695 weeks ago

I agree that dancing can be worshipful to God. I love dancing and did a lot of salsa, jive and traditional dancing; however I stopped all dancing as it was leading me far from God. My dancing was certainly not worshipful to God. I am now just waiting, it is God's will that He may bless me with a husband, who I can enjoy dancing with, as I never again want to dance with a man who I am not married to. Satan can use the good things given by God for our pleasure(sex, dancing, food etc) to destroy and lead people away from God. For me I must flee from sin and dancing which I love was causing me to sin and so for the meantime I must avoid it.

I do agree with much that you say about alcohol and dancing, but also appreciate that different people have different weaknesses and so what is fine for one Christian may lead another to sin. The the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and discernment about this and what is right for each person.

1 Corinthians 8:9 "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak"

3 replies · active 507 weeks ago

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Danielle · 695 weeks ago

You can dance in worship.. you don't need a partner for that.

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Enjoy dancing · 695 weeks ago

Certainly, though I find it much more fun dancing with others

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kenanderson893 0p · 507 weeks ago

This is the best and most Bibilically accurate response in this thread.

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linda · 695 weeks ago

Well, I loved the post but have a hard time making my mind after the comments. I was a christian like missionarymom. I am a Latina, and here in my country we greet everyone with a kiss in the cheek. It is a custom and it is done with the purest intentions and done between girls and boys, girls and girls, and even boys and boys. Yet I would find a "sexual intention" in everything including this "tradition" my legalism (yes, that is what that was) saw as surely the Devil's doing. I remember a new member coming to the youth group that met every friday on MY house. I was not only a member, but sort of a hostess. You see, greeting with a kiss is a show of respect and appreciation and in friendships, a show of care and love (nothing bad with that list). Yet I nealy flip backwards when I moved my back so far behind to avoid this NEW member's kiss! Needless to say, he did not come back. It took many years for me to stop this legalist thought. There was no dancing in my wedding, but my husband wanted to dance with me on our honeymoon. It was very enjoyable to be able to do something with purity of heart and enjoy a great time with my husband. I stopped seeing things through the eyes of men (and specially seeing things as through eyes of perverted men) and wanted to see things through God's eyes. Did He find any fault in me dancing with my husband? After all, I had kept myself pure for him, had never danced with another man or anywhere, and he really like it so it was pleasing to my husband. Yet some friends of mine do consider me a bad testimony because I go out dancing with my husband (no, I don't only do it in my house and it's no worship dancing yet is not sinful or sexual). So what is a christian to do? Because on the one hand you will reject more ppl with the things you condemn and push them far away with your rejection (and far from God no doubt), and the only ones you will "win" are your weak christian brothers and sisters. I'm still on the fence and have no definite conviction. The only definite conviction is that I won't dance with other man and I won't dance provocative dances but should I stop because some of my christian friends frown upon?

2 replies · active 695 weeks ago

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Lori Alexander 122p · 695 weeks ago

Linda,

I have been thinking of the same things. I think it all comes down to the way you dance and your convictions. I remember the Duggers being asked why they don't dance and they commented that swaying the hips back and forth and drawing attention to the body isn't a good thing. Then I thought about the way I dance {like at my children's wedding}. I stomp my feet around, snap my fingers, and clap. I am dressed modestly and don't move provocatively at all. Just having a good old time celebrating at a wedding! The guys were goofing off, riding on each other's shoulders and doing silly moves. I didn't see anything sexual about any of the dancing going on. I think this is where one's liberty in Christ comes to play. If you feel dancing is wrong, don't dance and don't judge others that like to dance but if you think it's okay, dance!

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Amy · 695 weeks ago

I found the wedding dance video you posted beautiful! They were expressing their joy through dance and it showed. You could see the love in their eyes. There was nothing provocative in their dance. I'm not into dirty dancing (although I loved the movie, lol), but dancing to me is a way of self expression (and good exercise).

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bella · 695 weeks ago

I think the dancing is lovely and the couple look very much in love. I can't imagine anyone having a problem with it.

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PJB · 695 weeks ago

Your daughter is beautiful and talented. I SO agree that we can't just 'let' Satan make everything beautiful into something ugly.

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Kelley · 695 weeks ago

Thank you for your post! We are a family of Christians who love the arts. My husband is a theater professor. I am a former actress. Do everything as unto the Lord!

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nadjamagdalena 51p · 695 weeks ago

Look at the joy on her face! That comes from God.

I'm a Catholic, and there's this little saying, "Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, there's song and dance and good red wine!" I think there is a puritanical streak in this country that feels anything having to do with the body is somehow inherently evil. It's like some of the ancient heresies that early Christianity had to fight against. The body is not evil, and although we must maintain modest dress and deportment lest we lead someone else to sin, God created our bodies, as our souls, to be good and used for good.

Dance can be lewd, but I think that there is a difference between ballet and the groin-grinding stuff that is not actually dance, but rather an acting out of sexual intercourse on the dance floor. That is like equating some of the blasphemous rubbish that passes for art with Michelangelo's David.

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Taryn · 695 weeks ago

A commenter mentioned the movie-Dirty Dancing. I see that movie as propaganda for legal abortion. I have a book-Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement by Dan Lucarini. He mentions dancing on pages 71 and 101. We attend a Conservative Baptist church(we don't have alcohol in our house). We have 5 granddaughters and my children know how I feel about modesty and dancing. I once read about the history of circle dancing and line dancing. Our second daughter-in-law majored in dance but recently went back to college for teaching school. She has different opinions than most of our family about some major issues and it is because of the people she was exposed to in drama and dance. I agree with the Duggars on this subject and I don't agree with them on everything(the Pearls, Gothard, home education curricula,etc.). I do recommend their books. That's interesting about Little Ricky.

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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Danielle · 694 weeks ago

Wow, because of ONE scene in Dirty Dancing it's propaganda for abortion????????

Just when I think people can't shock me enough!

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Michael omashoko · 484 weeks ago

my name is Michael am a singer and I love to dance.in my country we are bless with different style of dance both in the
Christiandom and in circular word in my opinion I see nothing wrong with dancing king David dance meriam dance so whatever style u dance do it as unto the lord the bible say to the pure all tins are pure Titus 1:15

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